RS

MEMBER DIARY

The First Thanksgiving by John Stossel. Made possible by private property.

I didn’t learn this specific historical lesson about capitalism vs. socialism until I was about 26. I don’t recall being taught this from the Shawnee Mission School District, Kansas State University, or my Presbyterian church.

The Pilgrims at Plymouth Colony organized their farm economy along communal lines. The goal was to share the work and produce equally.

That’s why they nearly all starved.

……………………….

In other words, the people of Plymouth moved from socialism to private farming. The results were dramatic.

“This had very good success,” [Governor William] Bradford wrote, “for it made all hands very industrious, so as much more corn was planted than otherwise would have been. By this time harvest was come, and instead of famine, now God gave them plenty, and the face of things was changed, to the rejoicing of the hearts of many.”